If you are seeking affordable housing, please read this page carefully before proceeding.

For emergencies, or if you are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, please contact one of the Core Service Agencies, or call United Way's 211 Social Service Helpline by dialing 2-1-1.

Take Our Brief Survey:

We want to make this resource as useful as possible and we value your feedback.  When you are done, please take a moment to answer our very brief survey.

Resources and Information to Find Housing:

First, it is important to note that there is no single "source" of affordable housing in San Mateo County. Some developments are managed by nonprofits and those nonprofits maintain waiting lists and residential qualifications, while many below-market rate (BMR) units are managed by individual cities, each with their own set of qualifications. If you live in another county, you should consider learning about what options exist there, as well, in order to increase the chances of success.

For an overview of how the process works, please see the following documents prepared by the San Mateo County Department of Housing.

Information for Families and Individuals Seeking Affordable Housing (En Español)

Information for Seniors Seeking Housing (En Español)

Information for People with Disabilities (En Español)

The Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California has put together this guide to help you through the search for affordable housing.

Steps to Finding Affordable Housing

HLC Housing Database:

HLC’s Housing Database is another resource. Please note that if there is a phone number listed on a record in the database, then that is the best number to call in regards to that property.

The database allows you to search for existing affordable housing units by city, number of bedrooms, special needs of the residents, etc.

You can search for organizations that provide housing or work on housing advocacy.

Printable List

If you'd prefer to print a list, click here for a printable list of affordable or below market rental properties from the San Mateo County Department of Housing*.

* Please note that rents, availability and tenant qualifications may be subject to change, and that the Housing Leadership Council has no control over any changes that may occur, and provides no guarantee that the information contained within the list or database is accurate. We encourage users to submit any additional information that may be available about affordable properties in San Mateo County to HLC staff so we can share it with the public through this and other channels.

Additional Online Affordable Housing Websites:

• Affordable Housing Online
• Housing Maps Online - Front end to apartment listings on Craigslist.
  
• Santa Clara County Housing Search - Real-time updated affordable apartment listings in Santa Clara County
  
• GoSection8.com - Online resource to help section 8 voucher holders find housing.
• MyApartmentMap.com - Apartments at all levels of affordability
  

San Mateo County Government Resources:

The San Mateo County Department of Housing has a variety of housing references and resources that can also help you in your housing search.

The San Mateo County Housing Authority

Public Housing: call (650) 802-3375

Project Based Section 8: call (650) 802-3319

City Housing Departments

Each city maintains a separate waiting list for below market rate (BMR) housing units within that city and have additional housing resources. Contact information is available here too.

Other Resources:

HIP Housing home sharing helps match persons in need of housing with those who have a place to share. Click for the current list of rooms.  Frequently asked questions here.

Compilation of Housing Resources in San Mateo County

Organizations provide housing and housing assistance in the county.

Help at Home

A Guide to Assist San Mateo County Residents to Remain at Home - English, Spanish, Chinese

Senior Housing Resources

Things to do when you meet the landlord/agent

First Time Homebuyer Programs

A listing of all the assistance for first time homebuyers in the county.

General Guidelines for Affordable Rental Housing Applicants

Housing Wait Lists

Phone numbers for various housing waiting lists.

Legal Resources for Tenants

Local legal resources

Foreclosure Assistance

Loan default and foreclosure assistance

Home Repair

Rebuilding Together Peninsula provides FREE home repair services

Additional Resources:

Links to other services that may be helpful.

Get involved:

While Housing Leadership Council is not a housing provider, we work to increase available affordable housing and make accessing that housing as easy as possible. If you are frustrated and feel that San Mateo County needs more affordable housing opportunities, you can contact us to learn how you can get involved in our efforts to improve housing affordability.

Take Our Brief Survey:

We want to make this resource as useful as possible and we value your feedback.  When you are done, please take a moment to answer our very brief survey.